Lakers Rumors: Health Issues Will Force Kobe Bryant To Keep Gutting It Out

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant probably isn't going to be 100 percent healthy at any point this season.

In fact, he may never be 100 percent healthy ever again.

We all know about Kobe's wounded right wrist, but his perpetually wounded right knee has been largely overlooked in the early goings. He's had several procedures done on his right knee, one of which was a blood manipulation procedure he had done in Germany by specialist doctor Peter Wehling.

Kobe said on Thursday that his knee is feeling fine, but he hinted that it's not perfect.

"It's as close to 100 percent as it's going to get," he said, per ESPNLosAngeles.com.

As for the wrist, Kobe said before the start of the season that it's "not really going to heal." He also said that the ligament he tore in it is "gone."

For that, he may consider going to see Dr. Wehling again after the season is over.

"I might be able to do something with the wrist," he said. "Right now it's only for injuries that are arthritic in nature. The wrist isn't arthritic."

The knee and the wrist aren't the only injuries Kobe has to deal with. He also has a finger problem that, you guessed it, is as healed as it's ever going to be.

"That's just kind of become bone on bone and kind of healed itself and off we go," he said.

That's going to have to be Kobe's attitude in each of the Lakers' remaining 62 games. He's not getting any younger, and he's not getting any healthier.

That means Kobe is going to have to keep getting tougher.

The good news for the Lakers is that this isn't asking a whole lot. Kobe's ability to play through injuries is quickly becoming the stuff of legends, and he's going to keep adding to his legend with each passing game.

The fact that the Lakers indeed only have 62 games remaining can only help Kobe. The more gas he has for the playoffs, the better. The Lakers don't appear to be championship material, but they can quickly become just that if Kobe puts them on his back.

And unless Kobe is hiding something from us, his back is just fine.